West View Leisure Centre

The cost of exercising in council-run leisure centres in Preston is to increase slightly from April.

Cash-strapped Preston City Council, which has to find an additional £4million of savings by 2020, is increasing the price of using Fulwood and West View Leisure Centres.

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A small rise in the price of swimming and fitness classes is proposed.

Cabinet member for leisure and culture, councillor Veronica Afrin, has agreed the increase in prices for some activities.

The new fees come into force from Friday 1 April if no other councillor challenges the decision by Thursday 28 January.

Changes to prices at Fulwood and West View Leisure Centres

An adult swim increases from £3.85 to £3.90. A child swim goes from £2.20 to £2.25. An OAP pays £2.65 instead of £2.60.

Squash court use goes from £7 to £7.20 for adults or children.

At West View a game of indoor bowls goes from £3.10 to £3.20 for an adult.

Fitness sessions for adults increase by 3 per cent, from £6.20 to £6.40 and for children from £3.70 to £3.80. OAPs pay £4.10 instead of £4.

A number of other sessions from spinning to body combat all rise by four per cent, from £5 to £5.20.

While the price of a technogym key falls dramatically, from £11 to £5.

Related: Fulwood leisure centre introduces creche

A city council spokesman said: “The Council has a range of fees and charges for various services, which in turn raises income and helps to keep council tax lower.

“It’s about striking the right balance between raising income but also providing value for money. These are annual increases to fees and charges which take account of running costs and inflation etc.

“We do monitor our fees and charges and benchmark with other providers to ensure they are fair. However, as the amount of Government grant reduces, there will be pressure on the Council to raise more money from fees and charges.

“This means reviewing not only the amounts charged but also services which could provide new income and revenue streams for the Council.

“With over £4m a year of savings to find by 2021, the Council has too look at all options and increasing as well as finding new sources of income has to be part of this.”

A full list of all the new fees can be found on the city council website.

Do you use Fulwood or West View Centres? What do you think of the changes in prices? Let us know in the comments below